The Orion Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1) mission successfully flew on Dec 5, 2014 atop a Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle. The goal of Orions maiden flight was to stress the system by placing an uncrewed vehicle on a high-energy trajectory replicating conditions similar to those that would be experienced when returning from an asteroid or a lunar mission. The Orion navigation team combined all trajectory data from the mission into a Best Estimated Trajectory (BET) product. There were significant challenges in data reconstruction and many lessons were learned for future missions. The team used an estimation filter incorporating radar tracking, onboard sensors (Global Positioning System and Inertial Measurement Unit), and day-of-flight weather balloons to evaluate the true trajectory flown by Orion. Data was published for the entire Orion EFT-1 flight, plus objects jettisoned during entry such as the Forward Bay Cover. The BET customers include approximately 20 disciplines within Orion who will use the information for evaluating vehicle performance and influencing future design decisions.
Orion Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1) Best Estimated Trajectory Development
2016
12 pages
Report
No indication
English
Astronautics , Spacecraft Trajectories & Flight Mechanics , Space Technology , Delta 4 heavy launch vehicle , Crew exploration vehicle , Radar tracking , Global positioning system , Inertial platforms , Meteorological balloons , Trajectory planning , Spacecraft performance , Design optimization , Flight tests , Estimates , Kalman filters , Covariance , Lessons learned